Local Notes: New club is established for young people in Ballina
Members and supporters at the launch of Ballina Macra earlier this month, including Mayo Macra President, Francis Brennan, Cllr Marie Therese Duffy, Senator Mark Duffy and Siobhan Coyle, Macra Training and Development Officer.
Mayo Macra officially launched a new club in Ballina this month with a successful information night on May 1 last. The event drew a strong turnout from young people in the area, all interested in building a new social and community group for those aged from 17 to 35.
The evening included a presentation from Macra’s Training and Development Officer, Siobhán Coyle, who spoke about the wide range of opportunities that Macra offers.
“Macra isn’t just for those from farming backgrounds - it’s a national social network that brings together young people from all walks of life. Whether you’re into sports, public speaking, travel or just want to meet new people, there’s something in Macra for everyone,” said Siobhan.
“Macra’s mission is to empower young adults through new experiences, leadership opportunities, and a strong sense of community. Whether you're looking to grow your skills or just have a good time with good people, Ballina Macra offers a space to do both,” added Siobhan.
Following a great response at the meeting, Ballina Macra is now up and running, and looking for more members. Newcomers are invited to come along to the next meeting in Ballina Community Sports Centre, off Cathedral Road, on Friday, May 16 at 7.30pm.
Cllr Marie Therese Duffy, who attended the launch, praised the initiative, saying: “I’d encourage every young person in Ballina to join. It’s a relaxed, welcoming group and a great way to connect, especially in a rural area.
You can sign up now at www.macra.ie or follow Ballina Macra on social media for updates and details about forthcoming events.
And if you're from another part of Mayo and thinking about starting your own Macra club, then the team would love to hear from you too. For more information, please contact Siobhán Coyle at 086-8189219 or email scoyle@macra.ie.
The imaginative and creative ideas around HeritACT Ballina could see a nature-based solution and temporary recycled structure created from oyster shells at Kathleen Lynn Lane and Courtyard, just off O’Rahilly Street, and the setting up of an augmented reality experience celebrating the Ballina Mineral Water building on Pearse Street.
HeritACT is a European-funded initiative dedicated to revitalising cultural heritage through participatory processes and community engagement and Ballina was selected to take part in the project alongside Milan, Italy and Elefsina, Greece.
Earlier in the year, HeritACT Ballina, in association with Mayo County Council, ran a series of public workshops celebrating Ballina's rich cultural heritage, with ideas now being explored further at Part 2 of the HeritACT Ballina Co-Design Workshop taking place in the town this weekend.
The workshop is a final opportunity for the public to actively participate in co-designing six heritage interventions that will be delivered across Ballina in late 2025 as part of the New European Bauhaus HeritACT Project.
HeritACT solution partners from Ireland, Italy, Spain and Greece will be attending in person, all ready to share their insights and answer your questions about the six innovative solutions proposed for Ballina.
Other interventions which have been identified include a small-scale pavilion structure with projection mapping animation at Ballina's former convent and a 3D-printed vegetable garden at the Methodist Church, Connolly Street.
This is a hands-on, community-led design session where your ideas will help shape how these interventions are adapted for Ballina.
The workshop in Ballina Library, which acts as the HeritACT hub, is on Saturday, May 17 from 12 noon and includes free lunch and refreshments.
Admission is free but registration is required online at www.eventbrite.ie.
The death has taken place of John (Johnny) Mullarkey, Cois na hAbhann, Bonniconlon, Ballina and formerly of Drumsheen, Bonniconlon and Leeds, England.
John is deeply mourned by his brothers Michael and Padraic, sister Mary, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Patrick and Annie, and by his sister Breedge.
John reposed at his residence in Cois na hAbhann. Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Bonniconlon on Monday of last week, followed by burial in Bonniconlon Cemetery.
Ballina Rugby Club will be the start and finishing point for the River Moy Half-Marathon, taking place on this coming Saturday, May 17.
Hundreds of runners will participate in the event, which began 15 years ago and has now become an annual outing in the calendar of enthusiastic runners from all over Ireland.
The half-marathon route is relatively flat but with a few challenging hills along the way. Most of the half-marathon will be run on roads on either side of the banks of the River Moy while a small section of the course will take participants through Belleek Forest.
Ballina Rugby Club is hosting the River Moy Half-Marathon, starting off at 10am.
Colm McLoughlin triumphed at the inaugural Ballina Town FC Masked Singer fundraiser, a high-energy and fun show that attracted hundreds of people to the Great National Hotel Ballina earlier this month to enjoy superb performances from eight acts.
The event, which was the brainchild of the club’s recently elected chairman, Mark Beatie, and was supported by a dynamic new committee, helped to raise money for the Ballina Town Football For All initiative. This project provides children of all abilities with the chance to play and enjoy the benefits of soccer in an inclusive environment.
“Over the past three months, our club members have gone above and beyond to promote the event - whether it was selling tickets, running a pop-up shop, or proudly marching in the St Patrick's Day Parade. Their tireless efforts truly paid off, “ said Sheila Garvin, the Vice-PRO of the club.
Ballina Town FC Ladies team, which was re-established just a year ago, contributed significantly with their time in selling tickets before the event, and in helping to ensure the running of a professional production on the night.
“The event itself featured a fantastic line-up of performers, but only one could be crowned our inaugural Masked Singer champion, so we extend our heartfelt congratulations to the very talented Colm McLoughlin on his win."
Contestants also included Patrick and Roisin Lacken, Katie Cassidy, Laura Nash, Tommy Cooke, Catherine McCafferty, Michael Slater and Tara Doherty.
The club also acknowledged the entertaining input of the judges on the night, Senator Mark Duffy, Martha Galvin, Avril Greham and Mick Duffy, who brought great energy, humour and insight to the occasion.
“Thanks to everyone who supported us our event was a tremendous success, and we're already planning on bringing it back next year,” said Sheila.
Traditional musician and composer Emer Mayock who, over the past three decades, has managed to be both innovative and true to her trad roots, will be performing in Ballina Community Hospital this month as part of a series of Bealtaine Festival 2025 events taking place in Ballina during May.
Bealtaine Festival is an initiative of Age & Opportunity, the national organisation that promotes active and engaged living for people as they get older.
Emer is a multi-instrumentalist who is a noted exponent of the flute, but who also plays uileann pipes, whistle, fiddle and piano. She has performed at home and internationally, including as a member of the famed Afro Celt Sound System, an Irish and African group that fuses electronic music with traditional Irish, Celtic and West African music.
Emer is a native of Ross, Castlebar and has released a number of albums since her 1996 debut ‘Merry Bits of Timber’, including the much-acclaimed ‘Playgrounds’, the latter highlighting her passion for composition and musical innovation. She has also written music for shows and documentaries.
Emer is a renowned music teacher and an advisor on traditional music to the Arts Council.
She will be performing for day patients in Ballina Community Hospital on Thursday, May 22.
Meanwhile, also as part of Bealtaine Festival 2025 in Ballina, visual artist Clare Henderson will show her work in IQ Ballina at 1.30pm today (Tuesday), followed by a drawing workshop.
The death has taken place of James (JP) Munnelly, Cloonislaun, Ballina.
JP was the beloved husband of Josephine and loving father to Caroline (Munnelly), Susan (Birkinshaw), James and Eamon.
He will be sadly missed by his wife, sons, daughters, grandchildren Darragh, Emily, Holly, Fíonn, Milly, Éabha and Mason, son-in-law Pete, daughters-in-law Vanessa and Shauna, sisters Anne Moran, Bridie Delaney, Kay Naughton, Helen Nealon and Madeline Durkan, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents James and Anne, sister Teresa Moran, brothers-in-law, niece and nephew.
JP reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Monday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral on Tuesday, followed by a private cremation in McGowan’s Crematorium, Collooney, Sligo.
Students from Ballina Youthreach and St Dymphna’s Special School will join the musicians of The WhistleBlast Quartet in Ballina for the show ‘Strong Together’, an inspiring and inclusive live music performance.
This innovative concert features original compositions by the students, performed alongside the quartet in a celebration of creativity and collaboration.
You can also expect a vibrant mix of familiar tunes and excerpts from the classical repertoire, perfect for all ages and a wonderful introduction to live classical music in an engaging and welcoming atmosphere.
The WhistleBlast Quartet is a talented team of Irish performers who travel the country far and wide doing fun, inventive and educational concerts. The group’s four members play piano, horn, saxophone, clarinet, violin and the occasional percussion instrument.
‘Strong Together’ will take place in Ballina Arts Centre on Tuesday afternoon next, May 20, at 1pm. Admission is free, but tickets are required.
To reserve your seat, please call the centre on 096-73593, go online to www.ballinaartscentre.com or email info@ballinaartscentre.com.
The death has taken place of Pamela Durcan, Manchester, and late of Crofton Park, Ballina.
Pamela was the dear mother of Jay, mother-in-law to Samantha, granny to Caitlín, Dylan, Niamh and Ethan, sister to Sean (Sligo), Liam (New Jersey), Paddy, Eoin, Josephine, Kathleen (Dublin), Margaret, Martina (Thurles), Bridget and Ursula (Dublin). She is also survived by her brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nephews and nieces.
Pamela was predeceased by her parents Willie and Bridget, her sister Ann and her brothers Michael and Edward.
Her ashes were received into St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Saturday last, followed by interment in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
Ballina Costume Company is organising a set of four craft workshops for adults, with instruction in wreath making, photo transfer, garden lantern-making and decoupage.
Starting on Wednesday, May 14 at 10am, the three-hour workshops will be held in The Jackie Clarke Collection, Pearse Street, Ballina. Subsequent workshops will be held on May 21 and 28, and June 4.
The total cost, for adults over 18, is €20 and classes are part-funded by Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board Community Fund.
However, places are limited so please book by calling Ballina Costume Company on 096-72154 or 086-8517302.
A representative of AIB Bank in Ballina will give a talk in Craoibhín Ballina today (Tuesday, May 13) on a range of topics such as how to keep your money safe, including developing an awareness of bank fraud and scams.
The information session, given by Louise, will start at 2pm and will also offer advice on how to make regular payments and how to pay bills from your bank account.
The cost is €3, with tea and coffee included. All are welcome to come along to the centre, which is located next door to St Muredach’s Cathedral. More information is available by calling 087-2785365.
The annual general meeting of Moy Heights Residents' Association, Ballina will take place on Wednesday, May 28, and the representative group is urging all residents of the area to attend and use the opportunity to raise any issues of concern.
The AGM will be held in Ballina Community Centre, Teeling Street, commencing at 8pm.
